AFTER President Rodrigo Duterte lambasted her husband again, Cebu City Councilor Margot Osmeña said that the President may have been given wrong information about Mayor Tomas Osmeña.
"I would like to believe that he was misinformed again," she said.
During the situation briefing in the aftermath of Typhoon Ompong in Ilocos Norte last Sept. 16, Duterte said: "Isa pa yang, p***** i**. Kunan mo 'yung pulis ng patrol car, kunan mo ang pulis ng baril. Anong klase? (He recalled the police's patrol cars and firearms). This guy must be crazy. Pupunta doon sa presohan tapos ipa-release 'yung mga nahuli. (He went to the police station and ordered the release of those arrested). File-lan, mo ng kaso (He should be sued). May mga ano talaga. 'Yung hindi mo maintindihan 'yung utak (It's hard to understand these kind of people). Mga g***."
In an interview on Monday, Margot said Mayor Osmeña never ordered the Department of General Services (DGS) to recall the City Government-owned vehicles issued to the police.
DGS chief Ronald Malacora told VoxPop Cebu that around P53.9 million worth of support has been given by the City to the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) this year.
CCPO is currently using 89 City-owned vehicles worth around P48 million.
The City also spent close to P5 million for fuel. Aside from this, 84 Philippine National Police (PNP)-owned vehicles used in the 11 police stations are also being given fuel supply by the City.
Margot said they will find a way to give the President the right information about what's happening in the city. Margot also defended her husband when the latter ordered the release of three alleged illegal butane refillers.
"He had them released in his custody. At that point, he found out there were no charges filed. He was so concerned that it was a Friday night and it was a long weekend and they will be there and there were no charges," she said.
Margot said the mayor went to the station after the wife of one of the arrested called the latter for help.
"They don't have lawyers. The only connection they have is the mayor because he puts his number on Facebook and everybody calls him and texts him. There are so many kinds of requests, even finding a dog, which he responds to. How can you say no to that? Where else will they go?" she said. (RVC)